Thomas Cromwell — Henry VIII and His Six Wives Character Profile

About Thomas Cromwell

Cardinal Wolsey's protégé who becomes a key court advisor. He orchestrates false infidelity charges to remove Anne Boleyn and later pushes for the diplomatic marriage to Anne of Cleves. His rise in wealth and status angers rivals, leading to his arrest and fall from power.

Character Facts

Played by

Donald Pleasence

Appears in

Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (5)

• Thomas Cromwell — Professional Monarch And Advisor — Henry VIII (Keith Michell)

  Cromwell serves as Henry's chief minister, orchestrating marriages and political maneuvers until his own downfall.

• Thomas Cromwell — Conflict Accuser And Accused — Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Rampling)

  Cromwell engineers the charges that destroy Anne Boleyn's position and life.

• Thomas Cromwell — Alliance Matchmaker And Beneficiary — Jane Seymour (Jane Asher)

  Cromwell actively facilitates Henry's courtship of Jane Seymour by removing Anne.

• Thomas Cromwell — Alliance Political Matchmaker — Anne of Cleves (Jenny Bos)

  Cromwell selects and promotes Anne of Cleves as a strategic political bride for Henry.

• Thomas Cromwell — Conflict Political Rival — Catherine Howard (Lynne Frederick)

  Cromwell's rise threatens aristocratic factions, leading to his political defeat and arrest.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Henry VIII and His Six Wives

More characters from Henry VIII and His Six Wives

• Henry VIII (Keith Michell)
• Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Rampling)
• Norfolk (Michael Gough)
• Suffolk (Brian Blessed)
• Jane Seymour (Jane Asher)
• Thomas More (Michael Goodliffe)
• Katherine of Aragon (Frances Cuka)
• Anne of Cleves (Jenny Bos)
• Catherine Parr (Barbara Leigh-Hunt)
• Catherine Howard (Lynne Frederick)
• Wolsey (John Bryans)
• Gardiner (Garfield Morgan)